Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "season". We'll be looking at Galatians 6:9:

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

This is the Greek word "kairos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon and the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament both say: due measure, a measure of time, opportune or seasonable time, the right time. It is translated "time" in other places in the New Testament. The word "due" is the Greek word "idios" and these same references say: pertaining to one's self, one's own, belonging to one's self. I see this as saying that not only does God have a correct, or right, time to bring the harvest of our good things done and good seeds sown, but it will be the time that is right for us personally! If we refuse to quit or give up when the going gets tough or seems hard to bear, we have this promise that God will NOT be late! He WILL come through and it will be at exactly the right time for US! Look at the Amplified Bible for Galatians 6:9:

9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

I LOVE that! It causes me to remind myself of THIS from Jeremiah 29:11:

11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

God is SO good, all the time! I know that this is such a busy time for you and Kristine and your family, but the good things you are doing WILL return wonderful rewards! I am continually amazed at the maturity of Avery and the love and patience she gives to her sisters! THAT is one of your rewards! Worth every moment, right? Praying for many more of those wonderful rewards! Here is another Hillsong Young and Free song for you, just because they're fun! This one is a new one called "This Is Living":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "crown". Here are the verses we'll be looking at!

John 19:5 So Jesus came out wearing the thorny crown and purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, See, [here is] the Man!

1 Corinthians 19:25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 

1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2 Timothy 4:8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

1 Peter 5:4 And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror’s crown of glory.

"Crown" in all of these instances is the Greek word "stephanos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a mark of royal or exalted rank, the wreath which was given to victors in public games, that which is an ornament and honor to one, (spiritually) the reward of righteousness. The soldiers who placed the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus did it to mock Him Who was called the King of the Jews. The reward for an athlete is given publicly as the reward for the diligent hard work done in private that resulted in the victory! When WE stand on the Word through every situation, WE receive this "crown" of HIS eternal life (zoe), here, in this life, and then, in the life to come, we receive the rewards for the things we did while in the body that were in obedience to His Word and His Spirit! Overcomers, conquerors or victors in this life are those who refuse to quit or give up! They are NOT perfect people, but people who choose HIM as their #1 priority, and, when they miss it and fail or fall, they get right back up and go again.The awards and rewards we receive in this life are fun, exciting and rewarding, but not nearly as much as those we WILL receive when we see HIM face to face! 

Praying for this to be a most blessed week for you and your beautiful family! Here is a song I just recently heard called "Victor's Crown" by Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton and Kari Jobe! 

You are always fighting for us
Heaven's angels all around
My delight is found in knowing
That You wear the Victor's crown
You're my help and my defender
You're my Saviour and my friend
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

At the mention of Your greatness
In Your Name I will bow down
In Your presence fear is silent
For You wear the Victor's crown
Let Your glory fill this temple
Let Your power overflow
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

Hallelujah
You have overcome
You have overcome
Hallelujah
Jesus You have overcome the world

You are ever interceding
As the lost become the found
You can never be defeated
For You wear the Victor's crown
You are Jesus the Messiah
You're the Hope of all the world
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold shall be broken
You wear the Victor's crown
You overcome
You overcome

At the cross the work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the Victor's crown

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "measure". We'll be looking at these three Scriptures: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:13 and Ephesians 4:16.

• Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
• Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
• Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

"Measure" here is the Greek word "metron". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: determined extent; portion measured off, the required, due or fit measure. WE have been given His Spirit by measure, not fully; but Jesus had the Holy Spirit without "measure". Look at John 3:34:

34 For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!

We are also each only responsible for own individual part of the Body, as we see in Ephesians 4:16. When we each do our part, every situation is covered and every need met! Then we see in Ephesians  4:13 that our aim, our goal, our target, should be to grow up spiritually, IN HIM! HE is our standard, and no person has ever reached that measure yet! BUT, we HAVE come so much farther than we were when we started! With HIM as our Standard, we won't be so quick to compare ourselves with others! Look at 2 Corinthians 10:12:

12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

We can have confidence in HIM that we have everything we need to become all that He has planned for us to become! HE who BEGAN that good work in us by His Spirit (Philippians 1:6), will continue to work that work, perfecting (maturing) us as we stretch ourselves to meet HIS standard! That certainly takes the pressure off of ME! Here is Hillsong with "To Be Like You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "way". We'll be looking at the Old Testament for this one, specifically a verse we've used before: Proverbs 22:6:

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it.

We have used this verse before, but I believe the Holy Spirit wants to renew this for you now that you have 4 different little personalities to deal with! We saw before that "train up" means to train, to dedicate (specifically, dedicate to the Lord). "Way" here is the Hebrew word "derek". Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: way, road, journey, path, direction, manner, habit, course of life, moral character. As you have already come to realize, these beautiful girls, with their individual personalities, will require Godly wisdom and understanding and Holy Spirit direction to bring them each up according to God's plan for them! The Amplified Bible says it best!

6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Although it will definitely be a challenge, bringing these girls up in the Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit will be so completely rewarding when you see how God uses each one of them to reach different people. The strength of one will help with the weakness of another and your whole family will be a balanced unit, filled with God's love, anointing, creativity and blessing! Know that you are covered in prayer and that God desires the best for them even more than you do. You and Kristine are excellent parents and we are so proud of both of you! The joy and peace that can only come from the presence of God is so evident to anyone who visits your home. Your children are thriving and God is saying "Well done"! Here is a song from Hillsong Kids called "Royalty":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!